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Aaliyah Cook

1x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

Aspiring CRNA passionate about healthcare equity. Dual-enrolled, track captain, and caregiver with real patient care experience. Driven to serve and lead in underrepresented communities.

Education

Danbury High School

High School
2022 - 2026

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Majors of interest:

    • Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Hospital & Health Care

    • Dream career goals:

    • Dietary Aide

      Encompass Health
      2025 – Present1 year
    • Caregiver

      GT independence
      2024 – Present2 years

    Sports

    Track & Field

    Varsity
    2022 – Present4 years

    Awards

    • 4x All-FCIAC Indoor/Outdoor; 2x FCIAC 55m Champ; 2x CIAC 55m; 4x1 All-State, All-New England (2024); 100m All-State, All-CIAC, All-FCIAC (2024); 200m FCIAC Runner-Up (2024); 4x2 & 4x4 All-FCIAC; Freshman Sportsmanship (2023); 2x Varsity Captain.
    No Essay Scholarship by Sallie
    Finance Your Education No-Essay Scholarship
    300 Bold Points No-Essay Scholarship
    Evangelist Nellie Delores Blount Boyce Scholarship
    Nursing is a passion that I have explored ever since my brother was hospitalized in 2022. I have seen the insides and outs of being the family of a patient and a worker. Since I was 14, I have taken the responsibility of caring for my brother who had suffered from an anoxic brain injury and stroke at 20. I lived with my aunt temporarily while I occasionally saw my mom when she didn't spend her days in New York Presbyterian Hospital. Having both parents in another state with my brother in critical condition created an emotional struggle for me. The following year, my brother had made exceptional recovery and was placed in a rehab facility where he tried to regain his motor skills like talking, moving fingers and hands, eating (etc). During this time, things became a lot more secure, my mom was back home, I got to visit my brother a lot more and help him regain some of his skills back. This time was challenging for me mentally because I realized when he is released from the rehab hospital, me and my mother are going to have to care for his every move because he wouldn't be able to do it by himself. Currently since my junior year, my brother has been living at home with me and my mother. During the day while I am at school and work she has aides to assist with his eating, activities, Dr appts and changing. When I return home, we both help with bathing, getting him changed and putting him to bed. He is disabled so he has to convey his needs to me or my mom. At night, sometimes he can be restless, similar to a newborn or infant. This often makes it difficult to get decent hours of sleep or prioritizes schoolwork. Although my responsibilities are draining at times, my experience has taught me so many valuable skills like time management, accountability and most importantly discovering my passion. Nursing is not just caretaking but it shows resilience, integrity, and compassion. It requires strength, teamwork, and the ability to comfort others during their most vulnerable moments. This career will give me the ability to advocate for black women that have been undertreated and unprovided. College will provide me with the educators and resources to effectively carry out my agenda and provide people with the best care possible. I believe I will gain the education, mentorship, and clinical experience necessary to carry out my purpose. I aspire to excel academically and obtain a master’s degree, and potentially pursue a doctorate in nursing. My long-term goal is to contribute to improving healthcare for people of color whether through direct patient care or health policy advocacy. In terms of my future in career and education, I want to climb the ladder in healthcare. I plan to get my BSN through a 4 year institution then work in an ICU or CVICU for 1-2 years where I get the necessary requirements to start CRNA school . A CRNA is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who administers anesthesia in a surgical setting and monitors patients before, during and after the procedure. This scholarship would give me the chance to focus on my education and continue my journey toward becoming a CRNA. It would help relieve the financial pressure on my family. The money from this scholarship will help me work toward my goal of achieving my RN-BSN in college and make me one step closer to my goal.
    Ed and Flora Pellegri Scholarship
    Winner
    Nursing is a passion that I have explored ever since my brother was hospitalized in 2022. I have seen the insides and outs of being the family of a patient and a worker. Since I was 14, I have taken the responsibility of caring for my brother who had suffered from an anoxic brain injury and stroke at 20. In the beginning while he was in the ICU, it took a toll on me mentally as I was still burdened with schoolwork and sports. Naturally, I tried to tune out my circumstances and continue my life as if it was normal. I got constant hospital updates from my parents about my brothers condition and it helped me understand the severity of his condition at the time. I lived with my aunt temporarily while I occasionally saw my mom when she didn't spend her days in New York Presbyterian Hospital. Having both parents in another state with my brother in critical condition created an emotional struggle for me. The following year, my brother had made exceptional recovery and was placed in a rehab facility where he tried to regain his motor skills like talking, moving fingers and hands, eating (etc). During this time, things became a lot more secure, my mom was back home, I got to visit my brother a lot more and help him regain some of his skills back. This time was challenging for me mentally because I realized when he is released from the rehab hospital, me and my mother are going to have to care for his every move because he wouldn't be able to do it by himself. This would go on to impact my priorities with school and sports. I felt like I had to produce my best academically but also prepare to be a full on caretaker. I felt an immense burden to produce perfection for everyone around me. Currently since my junior year, my brother has been living at home with me and my mother. During the day while I am at school and work she has aides to assist with his eating, activities, Dr appts and changing. When I return home, we both help with bathing, getting him changed and putting him to bed. He is disabled so he has to convey his needs to me or my mom. At night, sometimes he can be restless, similar to a newborn or infant. This often makes it difficult to get decent hours of sleep or prioritizes schoolwork. Although my responsibilities are draining at times, my experience has taught me so many valuable skills like time management, accountability and most importantly discovering my passion. This career will give me the ability to advocate for black women that have been undertreated and unprovided. College will provide me with the educators and resources to effectively carry out my agenda and provide people with the best care possible. I believe I will gain the education, mentorship, and clinical experience necessary to carry out my purpose. I aspire to excel academically and obtain a master’s degree, and potentially pursue a doctorate in nursing. I plan to get my BSN through a 4 year institution then work in an ICU or CVICU for 1-2 years where I get the necessary requirements to start CRNA school . A CRNA is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who administers anesthesia in a surgical setting and monitors patients before, during and after the procedure. This scholarship would give me the chance to focus on my education and continue my journey toward becoming a CRNA.
    Dashanna K. McNeil Memorial Scholarship
    Nursing is a passion that I have explored ever since my brother was hospitalized in 2022. I have seen the insides and outs of being the family of a patient and a worker. Since I was 14, I have taken the responsibility of caring for my brother who had suffered from an anoxic brain injury and stroke at 20. I lived with my aunt temporarily while I occasionally saw my mom when she didn't spend her days in New York Presbyterian Hospital. The following year, my brother had made exceptional recovery and was placed in a rehab facility where he tried to regain his motor skills like talking, moving fingers and hands, eating (etc). During this time, things became a lot more secure, my mom was back home, I got to visit my brother a lot more and help him regain some of his skills back. Currently since my junior year, my brother has been living at home with me and my mother. During the day while I am at school and work she has aides to assist with his eating, activities, Dr appts and changing. When I return home, we both help with bathing, getting him changed and putting him to bed. He is disabled so he has to convey his needs to me or my mom. At night, sometimes he can be restless, similar to a newborn or infant. This often makes it difficult to get decent hours of sleep or prioritizes schoolwork. Although my responsibilities are draining at times, my experience has taught me so many valuable skills like time management, accountability and most importantly discovering my passion. My commitment to nursing stems from a deep desire to provide for people who cannot provide for themselves. Through my personal experiences, I have observed that nursing is rigorous and demanding, but it is also one of the most rewarding careers imaginable. Nursing is not just caretaking but it shows resilience, integrity, and compassion. It requires strength, teamwork, and the ability to comfort others during their most vulnerable moments. This career will give me the ability to advocate for black women that have been undertreated and unprovided. College will provide me with the educators and resources to effectively carry out my agenda and provide people with the best care possible. I believe I will gain the education, mentorship, and clinical experience necessary to carry out my purpose. I aspire to excel academically and obtain a master’s degree, and potentially pursue a doctorate in nursing. My long-term goal is to contribute to improving healthcare for people of color whether through direct patient care or health policy advocacy. In terms of my future in career and education, I want to climb the ladder in healthcare. I plan to get my BSN through a 4 year institution then work in an ICU or CVICU for 1-2 years where I get the necessary requirements to start CRNA school . A CRNA is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist who administers anesthesia in a surgical setting and monitors patients before, during and after the procedure. This scholarship would give me the chance to focus on my education and continue my journey toward becoming a CRNA. It would help relieve the financial pressure on my family. The money from this scholarship will help me work toward my goal of achieving my RN-BSN in college and make me one step closer to my goal